Newtown Township Police: Incident Calls Up 13 Percent In 2023

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The Newtown Township Police Department saw a 13 percent increase in calls for reported incidents in 2023, Chief John Hearn told the board of supervisors on Wednesday.

In December alone, Hearn said the department documented 1,915 calls for service, representing a 13 percent bump over 2022.

The department logged 22,000 patrol miles on its fleet and made 20 arrests in December, including five for assault, three for domestic disputs, five for retail theft, three for narcotics violations, and seven for DUI.

According to Hearn, 14 cases were referred to the detectives division for investigation and six crime scenes were processed. The cases included simple assault, five death investigations, frauds, childline complaints, and two terroristic threats including one involving a firearm.

The department also reported 58 traffic crashes and 15 deer collisions. Ninety-five traffic citations and 270 warnings were issued during the month, said the chief.

Notable jobs during December included the arrest of an organized retail theft ring on Dec. 10. Five individuals from Philadelphia were arrested and charged with stealing merchandise at the Lululemon and Ulta Beauty stores at the Village at Newtown Shopping Center.

On December 14, police handled a bomb threat sent to Congregation Shir Ami at Richboro Road and the Newtown Bypass. Police searched the building with ordinance-sniffing canines with no results.

And on December 15, police arrested a Council Rock School District bus driver for DUI while operating a bus.

Also in December, the department conducted a joint truck safety detail at the Newtown Bypass and Lindenhurst Road in partnership with the Newtown Borough and Upper Makefield Police Departments.

“We inspected 15 trucks, issued three warnings and one vehicle was placed out of service,” said Chief Hearn.

In 2023, Hearn said the department increased its training hours, added a new records management system, and implemented a body-worn camera program.